Essays
CEDU EDUCATION WITH NEW OWNER -- "HERE FOREVER" AGAIN! Essays
Sep 9, 2005, 15:38
By Linda Shaffer, M.A.
Educational Consultant
Sandpoint, ID
Former staff member at CEDU's Rocky Mountain Academy
GO former CEDU GO!
With Universal Health Services (UHS) winning the bid for the now empty CEDU Education buildings in north Idaho, it appears that the future is looking bright for the students, parents and former staff of CEDU and the therapeutic schools industry. All I can say for the industry, families and former staff members of the CEDU schools is "Yippee!" For me, it was unimaginable that the schools and their awesome, inspirational properties would be closed forever. As we wait for UHS to reopen the doors of the dorms and "the house," I personally am eager to know more about the new plan and meet those who will be overseeing it. I anxiously await the removal of the barricade at the entrance so I can drive back onto the property to do my share of handholding as the students, families and staff are welcomed onto the campus. North Idaho is looking forward to the aliveness and bustle created by these teenagers, parents and an eager staff who are more than ready to get back into the business of working with these bright, confused, witty, loving, trying to figure it all out struggling teens.
As an educational consultant these past almost 14 years, I know our role is to assist parents in assessing and making the best recommendations for their child and family. With this in mind, I am hopeful the educational consultants will once again take an in-depth interest in a north Idaho school setting that has been in the forefront of emotional growth education for struggling teens for so many years. When I wrote an earlier piece for Woodbury Reports as the schools closed, "CEDU Education --"Here Forever," I received many responses from staff, former staff and former students who had stumbled upon the article. A recent graduate asked if I wanted to hear his views on the schools, or his perspective on the caring group of people and challenges that changed his life so incredibly.
Every family, be it our personal family, work family or school family, faces trials and victories in a lifetime. In my practice, I work with families and schools all across the country. I am eager to learn more about the new plan in north Idaho, and when appropriate, include these schools in my recommendations for consideration to the families who have hired me.
There is a connection with nature for any school or program in north Idaho, and a history of many successes in this region. I wish the new owners, returning and new staff all the very best. This industry is in need of such places of beauty, safety, care, inspiration, challenges, growth... and joy and laughter again.
With Universal Health Services (UHS) winning the bid for the now empty CEDU Education buildings the future is looking bright for the students, parents and former staff of CEDU and the therapeutic schools industry.